This crochet pattern is an original design from my book Summer Crochet: 19 Delicate Designs with Simple Lace and Timeless Silhouettes, first published in 2025 by Page Street Publishing.
Summer Crochet can be found wherever you buy your books, or at these retailers.
ABOUT
The Boardwalk Bralette has everything you could want in a bralette pattern: comfortable straps that won’t dig into your neck, customizable cups for any breast size, a lace-up back tie that provides extra support, and a wavy lace stitch pattern that hugs the rib cage. Intended to be worn as a bikini top or a crop top, this made-to-measure pattern is written in a tutorial style for any shape and any size; all you need are three measurements.
This bralette is crocheted with a small hook, creating a solid fabric that need not be worn with a bra. You may choose to wear your bralette with removable cups like the ones found in bathing suits for a more comfortable wearing experience. You can also sew in a fabric lining using a sewing machine or a needle and thread if this is within your skill set.
More Content: For more information and tester photos, visit knitsnknots.ca/boardwalk-bralette.
MATERIALS
Yarn: DK—WeCrochet CotLin® DK in colorway “Swan”
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70% Tanguis cotton, 30% linen
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123 yds (112 m) per 1.8 oz (50 g) skein
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Find this yarn on crochet.com or visit yarnsub.com to find comparable substitutes available in your region.
Yardage Required: 2 (2, 2, 2, 3) (3, 4, 4, 4) skeins or approximately 180 (195, 210, 235, 265) (310, 375, 425, 475) yds (165 [178, 192, 215, 242] [283, 343, 389, 434] m)
Note that the listed yardage is a rough estimate based on total bust circumference as well as feedback from pattern testers during the writing of this book. These numbers are intended to be used as a guide. Because this pattern is made-to-measure, the exact yardage required for your unique measurements may vary slightly from these numbers. Reference the sizing chart on page 5 of the PDF pattern (see listing photos) to find your estimated yardage required.
Yarn Substitution: Visit knitsnknots.ca/boardwalk-bralette for an extensive list of yarn substitutes and yarns used during pattern testing. Substitute WeCrochet CotLin DK with any similar light DK-weight (category #3) yarn that matches gauge. Cotton or cotton blends will work best in this project. Avoid 100% bamboo yarns, as these are too slippery and will stretch out too much with wear; a little grip is needed. Note that DK weight is sometimes referred to as “8-ply” in Australia.
Hook: Size U.S. E/4 (3.5 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge
Notions: Tapestry needle, tape measure, 6 locking stitch markers, plus several more stitch markers (optional) to help with seaming
GAUGE
4 x 4” (10 x 10 cm) = 20 sc and 22 rows, lightly blocked
Note: This is the gauge for the cups of your bralette. It is more important that you are satisfied with the fabric density created with your yarn and hook combination than it is to match this gauge exactly. Use this gauge as a guide and, ultimately, choose a yarn and hook combination that creates dense stitches for maximum coverage.
SIZING + FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
See listing photos for full sizing chart and finished measurements.
TERMS + ABBREVIATIONS USED
Written in U.S. Crochet Terms
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ch(s): chain(s)
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ch-sp(s): chain space(s)
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dc: double crochet (tr in U.K. terms)
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dc2tog: double crochet 2 stitches together (tr2tog in U.K. terms)
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PM: place marker
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rep: repeat
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RS: right side
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sc: single crochet (dc in U.K. terms)
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sk: skip (or skipped)
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st(s): stitch(es)
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tch: turning chain
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WS: wrong side
PATTERN NOTES
Skill Level: Intermediate
Sizing: This bralette is made-to-measure. Three specific measurements will be referenced throughout the pattern to give a custom fit. This way, you can easily make this pattern for yourself or for someone else, as long as you have the three specified measurements of the wearer.
Stitch Counts: Stitch counts are listed after each row. If no stitch count is given, there has been no change since the previous row.
Reversible: There is no right side or wrong side to this stitch pattern; however, the pattern will instruct you to assign a “right side” to each of your pieces before seaming them together.
Turning Chain: The turning chain does not count as a stitch unless otherwise indicated.
Using Other Yarn Weights: Because this top is made-to-measure, you could try making this pattern with a different yarn weight than the one recommended. The pattern can be followed exactly as written since each piece is crocheted until reaching a specified size.
Construction: First, you will crochet two identical triangular cups, then you will crochet several rows across both cups to join them together into one panel while simultaneously integrating the neck ties. Next, you will crochet the body panel that hugs your rib cage, leaving plenty of space in the back for room to tighten the lace-up ties. The cups are sewn to the body panel, then the back tie is crocheted separately and woven through the eyelets along the front panel and tied in the back for a secure fit.
My signature bralette hack for a great fit without “falling out” of it is to weave the ties through the front eyelet row for extra support. This way, you will not fall out through the bottom if you lift your arms up, and it helps to give some shape to your bralette, similar to the effect of a push-up bra.
More Content: For more information and tester photos, visit knitsnknots.ca/boardwalk-bralette.
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WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE:
Immediately after purchase, you will instantly receive a digital download of the PDF pattern. Please include your email when prompted (be sure it's spelled correctly). Please send me an email if you don’t receive the download link!
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Books: Modern Crochet Sweaters | Summer Crochet
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